Survey unveils top beach do’s and don’ts

One in six Americans still find sand in their clothes at least a week after going to the beach, according to new research.Show more

A survey of 2,000 Americans who go to the beach often found that even those who live near the beach don’t tire of it — in fact, they enjoy it nearly as much as those who live further (83% vs. 88%).

Most survey respondents said that going to the beach is an absolute necessity during the summer (84%).

While 30% of those surveyed start heading to the sand and sea as early as June, nearly a quarter are so excited that they go even sooner (24%).

Conducted by OnePoll for BeachBound Vacations for National Beach Day, the survey also found that the average respondent visits the beach six times a year, although 31% go more often than this.

People would be willing to drive an average of three hours for the perfect beach day, and one in seven would travel even longer for a prime day in the sun.

Those surveyed weighed in on “beach etiquette” with the top rules being: don’t sit too close to others if there is open space (58%), don’t litter (53%) and don’t shake off sand too close to others (51%).

While at the beach, are you unknowingly disturbing fellow beach-goers? To make sure you’re in the clear, avoid interfering with others by: not sitting too close to them (31%), engaging in PDA (30%) or playing your music too loud (25%). Otherwise, you may be breaking some of the worst beach etiquette rules.

Yet, beach-goers admit they’re guilty of breaking a couple of those unspoken rules themselves, particularly leaving a mess behind (28%), shouting or talking loudly (27%) or bringing their pet (26%).

However, these issues don’t get in the way of a perfect day at the beach. The top five activities those surveyed would include in their ideal beach day are: swimming (49%), sunbathing (41%), surfing (29%), snorkeling (28%) and reading (27%).

Unsurprisingly, 73% make going in the water a priority, and another 43% enjoy a beachy sunset.

“Whether your perfect day at the beach involves laying on the sand and reading a book cover to cover, bodysurfing in the waves, or relaxing with friends and good music, there is no debate that beach days are synonymous with summertime,” said Michael Lowery, head of global consumer business at BeachBound Vacations. “Your vacation preferences can help determine which beach destination and resort works best for you.”

When packing for the beach, 56% feel that they pack the perfect bag for the beach.

Besides the basics, the top five things people bring to the beach are their water bottle (56%), food (46%), an umbrella (39%), a portable charger (38%) and a first aid kit (37%).

Thirty percent of those surveyed have lost something at the beach, usually their sunglasses (41%) or water bottle (39%). One in five have even been unlucky enough to lose their swimwear (21%).

No matter how prepared they try to be, roughly half of beach-goers admit they’re likely to forget to apply sunscreen at the beach (49%).

Consequently, 38% “always” or “often” come back from the beach with sunburn.

“My perfect beach day involves an all-inclusive resort because I don’t have to worry much about what I should pack,” said Dana Studebaker, vice president of marketing of consumer brands at BeachBound Vacations. “I can head from my room to the beach with some sunscreen and have snacks and drinks at my fingertips, plus plenty of activities to keep my family entertained all day.”

TOP “RULES” OF “BEACH ETIQUETTE”
1. Don’t sit too close to others if there is open space — 58%
2. Don’t litter — 53%
3. Don’t shake off/remove sand close to others — 51%
4. Don’t play music loudly — 40%
5. Don’t set up your things right in front of others — 39%
6. Don’t leave kids unattended — 34%
7. No public displays of affection — 33%
8. Don’t yell/be obnoxiously loud — 33%
9. Don’t leave a mess behind — 31%
10. No staring — 30%

MOST ANNOYING “BEACH ETIQUETTE RULES” TO BREAK
1. Littering — 45%
2. Shaking off/removing sand near someone — 31%
3. Sitting too close to someone — 31%
4. Engaging in public displays of affection — 30%
5. Playing music loudly — 25%

Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans who go to the beach was commissioned by BeachBound between July 18 and July 19, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).